Mar. 7, 2014
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by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

The Ukraine dispute between President Obama and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin may turn from military intervention in Crimea to another pressing question: Secession.

Leaders of Russia's Parliament -- and Putin backers -- say they support a vote by Crimea on whether to break away from Ukraine, just hours after Obama said such a referendum would be illegal.

"The proposed referendum on the future of Crimea would violate the Ukrainian constitution and violate international law," Obama said Thursday. "Any discussion about the future of Ukraine must include the legitimate government of Ukraine."

He added: "In 2014, we are well beyond the days when borders can be redrawn over the heads of democratic leaders."

Sergei Naryshkin, the speaker of the lower house of Russia's Parliament, says Crimea should make the choice. "We will respect the historic choice of the people of Crimea," he said, reports The New York Times.

In his remarks on Thursday, Obama outlined a proposed resolution to the Crimea standoff, urging Putin to pull back troops to pre-existing bases in the region and to open direct talks with the Ukraine government.